The 2021-Armed Forces and Remembrance Day celebration in Nigeria on Friday reached its climax with the laying of wreaths in honour of the country’s fallen heroes at the National Arcade, Abuja.
President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari who was also the Special Guest of Honour at the event, was the first to lay his wreath, followed by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.
Next was the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan and Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, followed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed.
Others were the Minister of Defence, Bashir Magaji, who laid at the same time with his Federal Capital Territory counterpart, Mohammed Bello.
They were closely followed by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olanishakin, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar and the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.
The Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps, Republic of Cameroun’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Salahuddin Ibrahim also laid a wreath on behalf of the Diplomatic Corps while a widow, Mrs Gloria Nnaji Umaru, who also laid a wreath on behalf of the widows of fallen heroes.
Special Prayer
The event also featured prayers for the repose of the souls of the fallen heroes and lasting peace in Nigeria as well as a special gun salute in honour of those who lost their lives in defence of the nation.
At the end, President Buhari released pigeons, signifying Hope, Peace and freedom of Nigeria, soon after he signed the Remembrance Day register.
Earlier on arrival, the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari inspected a guard of honour mounted for him as the reviewing officer.
The ceremony which holds on January 15 every year, symbolising the end of the country’s civil war, which ended on January 15, 1970.
The event is also held each year, to honour and appreciate surviving military men who have retired from service, as well as to honour the wives and children of war veterans.
President Buhari, who arrived at the venue of the event donning a sky-blue gown, was flanked by armed men of the guards’ brigade’s, black pipers and Presidential mounted troops.
Soon after a rendition of the national anthem, the President proceeded to inspect the parade, composed of officers and men of the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Nigerian Legion.
Earlier, the ceremony started with the Christian the Muslim prayers rendered by Group Captain P. D. Passau and the Director Islamic Affairs Brigadier General S. G. Mustapha.
The event also witnessed the ceremonial 21-gun salutes and the firing of three volleys for the fallen heroes.
Nnenna.O
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